Former leading New Zealand publisher and bookseller, and widely experienced judge of both the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, talks about what he is currently reading, what impresses him and what doesn't, along with chat about the international English language book scene, and links to sites of interest to booklovers.

FRANKFORT, Ky.– A new Kentucky license plate gives drivers the opportunity to show their support for libraries. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Commissioner Wayne Onkst recently presented the “Support Kentucky’s Libraries” license plate to Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear.
“Kentucky’s public libraries welcomed more than 20 million visitors last year who checked out more than 30 million books and other items,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s clear that Kentuckians love their public libraries, and now they have another way to show their support.”

The new plate is available at any county clerk’s office with a $44 application fee. The annual fee on the plate thereafter is $31. At the time of issuance, an optional $10 can be paid to fund library science scholarships. Those who signed the initial petition to create the license plate and paid the $25 application fee will be receive a $25 credit when the plate is purchased.

“Public libraries not only make reading possible and more accessible to Kentuckians, they offer computer access and a place in our communities for continued education and job training courses,” said Mrs. Beshear. “People truly value the positive impact public libraries have in our communities and this license plate is a perfect way for them to display their support.”

The Kentucky Library Association (KLA) worked with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to make the license plate available. Citizens from across the Commonwealth signed the application petition, which requires a minimum of 900 signatures to create a new plate.
“In this difficult economic climate, public libraries fill a critical need in the community,” said KLA Library Awareness Committee Chair and Logan County Public Library director Linda Kompanik, who spearheaded the effort to bring such a license plate to Kentucky. “For years, we’ve had library users who expressed interest in a way to show their support for libraries of all kinds – public, academic and special libraries. This new license plate is a great way to do just that.”